Companies need new re-entry badges

Published: Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 11:29 p.m.

The Lafourche Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has introduced a new emergency re-entry process for companies for the upcoming hurricane season.

Under the new Tier Re-entry Program, placards for registered employees will replace picture ID badges to allow company representatives access in storm zones to check the status of their establishments following a tropical storm or hurricane.

To get the placards, companies must renew those employees they deem will need access. The new application process requires each company to appoint an administrator, who will handle registration for its employees.

Lafourche businesses can register through the parish government website, www.lafourchegov.org. To apply on the site, you have to click on the Tier Re-Entry button on the lower left column; then click on the Lafourche Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness page in the Department tab on the upper portion of the site. Finally, click the “I Want to Apply for” tab and fill out the information.

When the company administrator clicks on the re-entry website, a “please apply” button will appear at the bottom of the page. A help document is also available to guide administrators through the process.

This new process will alleviate the burden of company representatives having to pick up passes at the Homeland offices in Mathews, said Chris Boudreaux, director of Lafourche’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security.

Also, having the placards on file helps ensure that they don’t get lost, he said.

Once an emergency is declared and an evacuation is imminent, an email will alert the company’s administrator, which will automatically contain employees’ placards.

The renewal process will remain the same in Terrebonne with picture ID badges.

Company administrators must manage renewals for its employees through the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority in downtown Houma. Renewal applications are at www.tpeda.org under TEDA Services.

New applications and renewals will be reviewed by a committee of TEDA staffers on a case-by-case basis. Once accepted, renewal badges will get a sticker to indicate they’re up to date.

Earl Eues, emergency operations director for Terrebonne Parish, said the good thing about Terrebonne during an evacuation is people can pass through on U.S. 90 without having to go through a checkpoint. But to actually get into the city, only people with badges get to re-enter.

Eues said the checkpoints are meant to prevent people who don’t belong and may cause trouble from coming into the parish.

“During Gustav we had no issues with looting,” Eues said. “That’s because we’re keeping people out who don’t need to be here.”

<p>The Lafourche Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has introduced a new emergency re-entry process for companies for the upcoming hurricane season.</p><p>Under the new Tier Re-entry Program, placards for registered employees will replace picture ID badges to allow company representatives access in storm zones to check the status of their establishments following a tropical storm or hurricane. </p><p>To get the placards, companies must renew those employees they deem will need access. The new application process requires each company to appoint an administrator, who will handle registration for its employees. </p><p>Lafourche businesses can register through the parish government website, www.lafourchegov.org. To apply on the site, you have to click on the Tier Re-Entry button on the lower left column; then click on the Lafourche Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness page in the Department tab on the upper portion of the site. Finally, click the “I Want to Apply for” tab and fill out the information.</p><p>When the company administrator clicks on the re-entry website, a “please apply” button will appear at the bottom of the page. A help document is also available to guide administrators through the process. </p><p>This new process will alleviate the burden of company representatives having to pick up passes at the Homeland offices in Mathews, said Chris Boudreaux, director of Lafourche's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security.</p><p>Also, having the placards on file helps ensure that they don't get lost, he said. </p><p>Once an emergency is declared and an evacuation is imminent, an email will alert the company's administrator, which will automatically contain employees' placards. </p><p>The renewal process will remain the same in Terrebonne with picture ID badges. </p><p>Company administrators must manage renewals for its employees through the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority in downtown Houma. Renewal applications are at www.tpeda.org under TEDA Services. </p><p>New applications and renewals will be reviewed by a committee of TEDA staffers on a case-by-case basis. Once accepted, renewal badges will get a sticker to indicate they're up to date. </p><p>Earl Eues, emergency operations director for Terrebonne Parish, said the good thing about Terrebonne during an evacuation is people can pass through on U.S. 90 without having to go through a checkpoint. But to actually get into the city, only people with badges get to re-enter. </p><p>Eues said the checkpoints are meant to prevent people who don't belong and may cause trouble from coming into the parish. </p><p>“During Gustav we had no issues with looting,” Eues said. “That's because we're keeping people out who don't need to be here.”</p>